Karina Pandya

At thirty, I treated curiosity like a daily practice.    In 2016 -when I turned 30, New York became my wide-open classroom: my first open mic, SGI-USA and even a curious peek at Scientology, long walks from Fulton Center to DUMBO and Long Island City’s water views, Smorgasburg Saturdays, bowling nights, a cronut, Beetle House and Brooklyn Bowl, a Coldplay concert, the US Open and a Mets game.    I cycled the city with strangers, wandered the Museum of Jewish Heritage and the 9/11 Memorial, and let Devoción coffee and Williamsburg’s cats keep me company. There were reunions and stages too—back home for a school reunion, and onstage for a talk at the Icon Business Forum. That year felt like a permission slip: explore, connect, try.   When I was 31 years old, momentum met discipline. I ran the Mumbai Marathon with Sumeet and, on my own steam, conceived and conducted Limits Make Things Too Small as a full-fledged event.    When I was 32 years old, widened ...

                                          On September 19 th , 2025 there was a spark in the air as the energy at Veda Kunba transcended borders. An event titled – India and USA: Can Art Unite brought together poets, film makers, writers, and theatre enthusiasts in a celebration of performance, reflection and storytelling. Poetry Session: Global Unity and Local  Unity   A packed evening, it began at 4.30 PM and stretched right till 9PM.    The evening kickstarted with a poetry session with performers such as Jasmine Babbar (Storyteller), J Brandon Hill (Actor), Stephan Fife (Author and Theatre Director), Karina Pandya (Author and poet) and Tracy Ann Chapel (actor) performing some of their finest pieces and engaging with the audience.     Panel Discussion: Can Art Unite?   After an engaging session of poetry which enlightened the audience, there...

Epilepsy is something most people don’t really know much about. For me, it’s just part of who I am—part of my head, part of what’s happening inside my brain. Sometimes something triggers it off, and I’ve learned over time that epilepsy can come from many different causes. Because I’ve had a brain injury, many assume that’s the only reason I developed epilepsy. But epilepsy doesn’t have just one cause. It can be genetic, it can arise from brain tumors, infections, complications, or even without a clear reason at all. And it’s not one fixed condition either—it has many types and patterns, which makes it complicated and often misunderstood. Types of Epilepsy and Seizures There are four main classifications of epilepsy: Focal epilepsy : Seizures begin in one specific area or side of the brain. Generalized epilepsy : Seizures involve widespread areas of the brain from the start. Combined (Focal and Generalized) epilepsy : A mix of both focal and generalized seizures. Unknown onset epilepsy ...

  I, Karina Pandya, joined the inspiring gathering at Jai Hind College on 29th June to witness and celebrate impactful leadership and community service. It was on this evening that Jai Hind College played host to an inspiring event led by the esteemed Smt Dr. Ruma Devi and her dedicated team from the Ruma Devi Foundation. Ruma Devi has empowered women with her skilled hands and earned global fame for her skill at village crafts. She has woven a legacy in her humble name and is recognised even at Harvard University for her work in empowering rural women through traditional handicrafts, and also across India.   The gathering was a remarkable celebration of leadership, philanthropy, and community spirit, graced by an illustrious line-up of guests who made the occasion truly memorable. The Event at Jai Hind College The event commenced at the college premises with an air of warmth and enthusiasm. The Chief Guest, Shriman Babulaji Mishrimalji Bhansali, Managing Director of Bhan...

  “For you, a thousand times over” When Khaled Hosseini wrote those words, he etched literary history. However, hearing them spoken aloud under stage lights at the NCPA Mumbai in a haunting silence, that’s what held one’s breath. This story was one such story that was meant not just to be read but also to be felt.   This June 2025, The Kite Runner landed on Indian soil in the form of a heart-wrenching stage adaptation, where it was not only a packed houseful that evening, but everyone waited with bated breath to watch this play. I still remember reading this novel when I had lost interest in reading altogether, but this book stood out from the rest, paving a special place in my heart.    The play, which was directed with sensitivity and restraint, drew all of Mumbai’s theatre and literary lovers together. Directed by Tahera, the founder of Arena Theatre Productions , the play has been produced by Ayisha and Tahera under Arena Theatre Productions. It has been adapted ...

    There’s something very deeply personal about launching a book from your living room. No stage, no spotlight – just heart and some friendly faces.     On the 30 th  of May, 7 of my NGO friends gathered at home for my first book launch. The setting was very humble, and the energy was very powerful. These are the people whom I regularly met in class, and where the seeds of the book took root. The menu was spread out for the evening – yellow and white dhoklas, khandvi rolls, sandwiches, jalebhi and cake. The room was brimming to the top with tea and laughter. While we clicked many pictures and had fun, we also created a fun video where everyone took my signature in their books.    There were no filters over here, just pure love and connection. That launch wasn’t just a product, but it was about purpose.   On June 7, 2025, fifteen close friends gathered, sprawled across sofas, balancing cups of chai, juice, and plates of sandwiches as we laughed, d...